Translations Golden Gate Bridge Design In 1921, Joseph B. Strauss hired Charles A. Ellis to head up his staff and soon advanced him to Vice President, Strauss Engineering Corporation, in charge of bridge design and construction supervision. In 1925, Strauss had Ellis arrange for Prof. George F. Swain of Harvard University and Leon Moisseiff who designed New York’s Manhattan Bridge to serve on a Board of Consultants for the project. Both men reviewed Strauss’s original plans for a symmetrical cantilever-suspension hybrid bridge and found them to be practical from an engineering standpoint and capable of being built. In November 1925, Moisseiff expressed concern about the hybrid design and submitted to Strauss his Report on Comparative Design of a Stiffened Suspension Bridge over the Golden Gate Strait at San Francisco, CA, which describes a design contrasting from the cantilever-suspension hybrid bridge design—a suspension span design. The suspension span concept did not immediately become the leading design for the bridge as Strauss continued to campaign for a bridge using his original symmetrical cantilever-suspension hybrid design as late as 1929.

On August 15, 1929, the Board appointed prominent engineers Moisseiff, O.H. Ammann, and University of California, Engineering School, Berkeley, CA, Professor Charles Derleth, Jr., to serve as the Advisory Board of Engineers, alongside Chief Engineer Strauss. Strauss also appointed Ellis to work with the Advisory Board of Engineers, serving as its Secretary. The timing of the change from the original Strauss proposal to a suspension bridge design is not precisely known, but it was accomplished sometime between the release of Moisseiff’s November 1925 report and the first meeting of the Advisory Board of Engineers on August 27, 1929. Further, The Golden Gate Bridge, Report of the Chief Engineer, September 1937, by Strauss, provides no details on the transition from his originally proposed symmetrical cantilever-suspension hybrid bridge to the Moisseiff-inspired suspension span design that was eventually built, and simply states, “...

In the interval which had elapsed any advantages possessed by the cantilever-suspension type bridge had practically disappeared and on recommendation of the Chief Engineer, the cantilever-suspension type was abandoned in favor of the simple suspension type.” On March 1, 1930, with final design underway and after overseeing test borings at the construction site, Ellis returned to Chicago to work on refining the design and estimates, while continuing to consult with Advisory Board of Engineers members Moisseiff and Ammann. Ellis was responsible for directing the thousands of calculations required, for the computation of stresses, the preparation of stress sheets, as well as the development of the specifications, contracts and proposal forms. He worked tirelessly until December 5, 1931, when Strauss insisted he take a vacation. Three days before his vacation was over, Ellis received a letter from Strauss instructing him to turn all his work over to his assistant Clarahan, and to take an indefinite unpaid vacation. For reasons still not clear today, Strauss fired Ellis. Ellis had lost his place in the history receiving no credit for his critical role in the design of the landmark Bridge.

He went on to join the engineering faculty at Purdue University in 1934, from where he retired as Professor Emeritus of the Division of Structural Engineering in 1947. He passed away on August 29, 1949. Golden Gate Bridge Facts Golden Gate Bridge Facts Golden Gate Bridge Facts The Golden Gate Bridge links the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula to Marin County. This suspension bridge is an iconic symbol of San Francisco, California. It spans the Golden Gate, the part of San Francisco Bay that opens to the Pacific Ocean. It took only four years to build and was opened in 1937 for traffic. The bridge itself was believed to be impossible to build but after almost 100 years of discussion it was completed. Today it is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Interesting Golden Gate Bridge Facts: Frommer's Travel Guide has mentioned it as being ‘possibly the most beautiful, certainly the most photographed bridge in the world.' Prior to the Golden Gate Bridge the only short way across the bay was by boat. A ferry ran from approximately 1820, but it wasn't until 1867 that a full ferry service began.

By the 1920s this ferry company was the largest of its kind in the world. The ferry trip took 20 to 27 minutes depending on which route was taken to cross. It is possible to drive across the bridge in 10 minutes if there is no traffic. The speed limit is only 45mph to increase safety and reduce traffic accidents. Many said a bridge could not be built across the bay. There were strong winds, tides and currents, deep water that would prohibit such a project. Despite concerns, construction began in January 1933 and the bridge was open to traffic on May 28, 1937. It only took four years to build. Eleven men died during the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. Even though it is named the Golden Gate Bridge it is actually orange. This color was chosen because it was thought that it would blend well with the natural setting. The color also enhances its visibility to boaters. It is thought that it got the name ‘Golden Gate' because the harbour reminded a US army Captain of a harbor in Istanbul. It was named the ‘Golden Horn'. The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

The total length of the bridge is 8,981feet. It is 746 feet above the water. The roadway is hung by two cables. These cables are made of 27,572 strands of wire that pass through the two main towers. They are then fixed in concrete at each end. There are approximately 1.2 million rivets in the bridge towers, 600,000 in each. The suspension span of the bridge is 4,200 feet and was the longest suspension bridge until New York City's Verrazano Narrows Bridge opened in 1964. To build the bridge today it would cost approximately $1.2 billion. It's estimated that more than 1.9 billion cars and vehicles have used the Golden Gate Bridge to cross San Francisco Bay. There are six lanes and walkways on either side. It has the unfortunate claim to being the second highest most common suicide site in the world. The Golden Gate Bridge appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine on February 26, 1976. It was the backdrop for five well-known rock stars of the era.

Related Links: DOES THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE HAVE THE WORLD'S LONGEST SUSPENSION SPAN? Not any more. The 4,200-foot long suspension span of the Golden Gate Bridge was the longest span in the world from the time of its construction in 1937 until New York City's Verrazano Narrows Bridge was opened on November 21, 1964. It is 60 feet longer than the Golden Gate Bridge. The Verrazano was the longest single span bridge until July 17, 1981, when the Humber Bridge in England, spanning the Humber River, was opened for traffic with a main span of 4,626 feet. Today, both the Great Belt East Bridge in Denmark (main span of 5,328 feet) and the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge in Japan (main span of 6,532 feet) have main span lengths which exceed that of the Humber Bridge. The table below shows the relative suspension bridges in comparison. WORLD'S LONGEST SUSPENSION BRIDGES * The main span is the length of the main suspended span between the two main towers.

WHY IS THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE PAINTED INTERNATIONAL ORANGE? The Golden Gate Bridge has always been painted orange vermilion, deemed "International Orange." Rejecting carbon black and steel gray, Consulting Architect Irving Morrow selected the distinctive orange color because it blends well with the span's natural setting as it is a warm color consistent with the warm colors of the land masses in the setting as distinct from the cool colors of the sky and sea. It also provides enhanced visibility for passing ships. If the U.S. Navy had its way, the Bridge might have been painted black and yellow stripes to assure even greater visibility for passing ships. WHAT IS THE COLOR FORMULA FOR THE UNIQUE INTERNATIONAL ORANGE COLOR USED ON THE BRIDGE? Many people ask about the formula for the Bridge’s unique International Orange paint color. Paint stores can mix it with the following information: CMYK colors are: C= Cyan: 0%, M =Magenta: 69%, Y =Yellow: 100%, K = Black: 6%.

The closest existing color codes to the International Orange color formula are PMS 173 (CYMK = 0%, 80%, 94%, 1%), PMS 174 (CYMK 8%, 85%, 100%, 34%) and Pantone 180 (CYMK 19.4%, 77.9%, 79.6% 3.6%). When purchasing paint for the Golden Gate Bridge, it is done through a competitive bidding process. Currently, the paint is supplied by Sherwin Williams and is made to match the Bridge International Orange color formula. The closest off-the-shelf paint color that Sherwin Williams has available is "Fireweed" (color code SW 6328). WHY ISN'T THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE PAINTED GOLD? Actually, the term Golden Gate refers to the Golden Gate Strait which is the entrance to the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. The strait is approximately three-miles long by one-mile wide with currents ranging from 4.5 to 7.5 knots.

It is generally accepted that the strait was named "Chrysopylae" or Golden Gate by Army Captain John C. Fremont, circa 1846. It is said it reminded him of a harbor in Istanbul named Chrysoceras or Golden Horn. No. Painting the Golden Gate Bridge is an ongoing task and the primary maintenance job. The paint protects the Bridge from the high salt content in the air which rusts and corrodes the steel components. HOW OFTEN IS THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE PAINTED? Many misconceptions exist about how often the Bridge is painted. Some say once every seven years, others say from end-to-end each year. Actually, the Bridge was painted when it was originally built. Until 1965, only touch up was required. In 1965, advancing corrosion sparked a program to remove the original lead-based paint (which was 68% red lead paste in a linseed oil carrier). The removal continued to 1995. In 1965, the original paint was replaced with an inorganic zinc silicate primer and acrylic emulsion topcoat.

In the 1980s, this paint system was replaced by a water-borne inorganic zinc primer and an acrylic topcoat. The Bridge will continue to require routine touch up painting on an on-going basis. HOW MANY IRONWORKERS AND PAINTERS MAINTAIN THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE? Currently, a revered and rugged group of of 13 ironworkers and 3 pusher ironworkers along with and 28 painters, 5 painter laborers, and a chief bridge painter battle wind, sea air and fog, often suspended high above the Gate, to repair corroding steel. Ironworkers replace corroding steel and rivets with high-strength steel bolts, make small fabrications for use on the Bridge, and assist painters with their rigging. Ironworkers also remove plates and bars to provide access for painters to the interiors of the columns and chords that make up the Bridge. Painters prepare all Bridge surfaces and repaint all corroded areas. WHAT ARE THE ORIGINAL RIVETS REPLACED WITH WHEN THEY BECOME CORRODED?

Since 1970, as various construction projects and painting projects occur across the Bridge, the original rivets are being replaced with ASTM A-325 high-strength bolts of equal diameter. In the early 1970s, corroded rivets were replaced with ASTM A-325 high-strength bolts dipped in organic zinc rich primer prior to installation. When galvanized ASTM A-325 bolts became available in the mid-1970s, corroded rivets have been replaced with galvanized high-strength bolts. When installing high strength galvanized bolts, they have to be pre-tensioned a certain amount so they “clamp” the connection together rather than “pin it” together. Using a predetermined torque value can result in being either over or under the required pre-tension depending on the roughness of the contact surfaces of the turning elements. Using the “turn of the nut” method sidesteps the potential over or under pre-tensioning problem, but it varies depending on the length of the bolt. So, what is normally done is that workers establish the “turn of the nut” rotation and torque value based on the specific length of a lot of bolts under clean conditions.

They then tighten it by “turn of the nut” method and check it with a torque wrench that is calibrated first to the specific lot of bolts being installed. HAS THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE EVER BEEN CLOSED? Full Closures due to Weather: The Golden Gate Bridge has been closed due to high winds three times: December 1, 1951: As gusting winds reached 69 miles per hour, the Bridge was closed for about three hours. December 23, 1982: High winds of up to 70 miles per hour closed the Bridge for almost two hours. December 3, 1983: Once again high winds closed the Bridge for the longest period in its history—3 hours and 27 minutes. Wind gusts reached 75 miles per hour, but again the Bridge suffered no structural damage. Full Closure due to Construction: On July 13, 1975 the entire Bridge roadway was closed from 3 am to 4:20 am to move the cable traveler being used for the Suspender Rope Replacement Project.

Full Closure for 50th Anniversary: On May 24, 1987, the Bridge was closed to traffic from 5 am to 11 am for the 50th Anniversary Pedestrian Walk. Full Closure for 75th Anniversary: On May 27, 2012, the Bridge was closed to traffic from 9 pm to 10:01 pm for the 75th Anniversary fireworks display. Brief Closures for Dignitaries: The Bridge was closed very briefly on two separate occasions for visiting dignitaries President Franklin D. Roosevelt and President Charles de Gaulle of France. As of January 2014, 2,025,883,491 vehicles have crossed the Golden Gate Bridge (includes northbound and southbound) since opening to traffic on May 28, 1937. WHEN DID THE BRIDGE EXPERIENCE ITS HIGHEST AND LOWEST VOLUMES OF TRAFFIC? LOWEST: On Monday, January 4, 1982, a devastating rainstorm struck the San Francisco Bay Area. Earth slides and flooding covered the highway and roads north of the Bridge.

Two days later on Wednesday, January 6, only 3,921 southbound vehicles crossed the Bridge. This compares to the average daily southbound count of 37,936 for January 1982. HIGHEST: During the evening commute on October 17, 1989, the Loma Prieta Earthquake jarred the Bay Area with a force measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale. The Golden Gate Bridge withstood, undamaged, the most devastating quake to strike the Bay Area since 1906. During this time of myriad traffic problems, extra bus and ferry trips were added to help smooth the commute as a flood of 30,000 to 40,000 drivers were diverted from the East Bay to Highway 101 and the Golden Gate Bridge due to the failure of the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge. On October 27, 1989, an all-time record of 162,414 vehicles crossed the Bridge north and southbound. WHY DOES THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE USE REVERSIBLE LANES?

Reversible lanes were inaugurated on the Bridge on October 29, 1963. Their use greatly aids the flow of traffic during the heavy morning and evening commute hours and during weekend tourist periods (click HERE for the current lane configuration). The Bridge has a total of six lanes with northbound and southbound lanes separated by a moveable median barrier (installed January 2015). At any given time, the lane configuration may be adjusted using a transfer machine (aka "zipper truck"). The moveable barrier is a one-foot wide, 32-inch high concrete and steel barrier that provides a safe division of traffic and helps eliminate head-on collisions. This barrier replaced the bright yellow lane markers that were used to separate opposing traffic lanes. In October 19, 1968, the Golden Gate Bridge became the first major bridge in the world to offer one-way toll collection. The system proved so successful it has since been instituted on many bridges throughout the world. WHAT IS THE CARPOOL POLICY AND WHAT ARE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS ON THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE?

In April 1976, the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District initiated toll free passage on the Golden Gate Bridge for two-axle vehicles with three or more occupants, motorcycles, and buses during peak commute traffic hours. This free toll policy ended in July 2010. For current carpool rates, hours, policies, and eligibility requirements, visit our Toll Rates page . WHY ARE 3 PEOPLE REQUIRED FOR A CARPOOL and DURING WHAT HOURS? In April 1976, the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District initiated toll free passage on the Golden Gate Bridge for two-axle vehicles with three or more occupants, motorcycles, and buses during peak commute traffic hours. This free toll policy ended in July 2010. For current carpool rates, hours, policies, and eligibility requirements, visit our Toll Rates page . IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIAL ABOUT THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE, LIKE THE SHAPE, THAT INFLUENCES THE FOG? "Advection fog" forms when humid air from the Pacific Ocean swoops over the chilly California current flowing parallel to the coast.

The fog hugs the ground and then the warm, moist air condenses as it moves across the bay or land. This is common near any coastline. The Bridge has an influence in directing the fog as it pushes up and pours down around the Bridge. Sometimes, high pressure squashes it close to the ground. By the way, the color of the bridge is International Orange, and was chosen in part because of its visibility in the fog. IS THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE, HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT A PUBLIC AGENCY? Yes. The "Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District Act" was enacted by the California State Legislature on May 25, 1923. The enabling legislation gave counties the right to organize as a bridge district and borrow money, issue bonds, construct a bridge and collect tolls. On December 4, 1928, the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District was formed as the entity to design, construct and finance the Golden Gate Bridge. The District consists of San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, Del Norte and parts of Mendocino and Napa counties.

On November 10, 1969, the California State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 584 authorizing the District to develop a transportation facility plan for implementing a mass transportation program in the Golden Gate Corridor. This was to include any and all forms of transit, including ferry. At that time, the word "Transportation" was added to the District name. WHERE IS THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE LOCATED? The Golden Gate Bridge crosses the Golden Gate Strait and connects the City of San Francisco and the County of Marin to the north. The longitude and latitude for the Bridge location is approximately: N 37 Degrees, 49 Minutes, 8.0 Seconds --- W 122 Degrees, 28 Minutes, 40.6 Seconds. IS THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE PART OF THE STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM? Technically, Highway 101 and State Route 1 end at the north abutment of the Golden Gate Bridge and at about 1,000 feet south of the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza. The Golden Gate Bridge is not technically or officially part of Highway 101 or State Route 1.

The GGB is not considered part of the State Highway System, but it is considered part of the National Highway System. For more information refer to the California Streets and Highways Code Section 301 and 401 . HOW MANY PEOPLE ATTENDED THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE? The dream of spanning the Golden Gate Strait had been around for well over a century before the Golden Gate Bridge opened to traffic on May 28, 1937. On Sunday, May 24, 1987, this dream come true was celebrated as the Golden Gate Bridge turned fifty. With great fanfare, people from all over the world came to pay homage to the Bridge, become part of an historical celebration and create lifelong memories. The day began as "Bridgewalk 87", a reenactment of "Pedestrian Day 37". It is estimated that nearly 300,000 people surged onto the roadway. By 11:00 a.m. the Bridge was cleared for a commemorative vintage automobile motorcade.

As a token of appreciation to the thousands of motorists who use the Bridge each day, the Board of Directors suspended toll collection for the day. To review the abstract from the Center for Design Informatics at the Harvard Design School evaluating stresses placed on the Bridge during the 50th Anniversary event, click here . To purchase a photo of this event, click here . MAY I SCATTER THE ASHES OF A LOVED ONE FROM THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE? Unfortunately, this is not permitted. Under California Penal Code Section 219.3, any person who willfully drops or throws any object or missile from any toll bridge is guilty of a misdemeanor. WHAT YEAR DID THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE APPEAR ON THE COVER OF ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE? On February 26, 1976, the Golden Gate Bridge appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine as the backdrop with five prominent San Francisco-based rockers of the day, with a title above the photo that read, “What a Long Strange Trip it’s Been.” WHAT MOVIES INCLUDE THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE?

A number of major motion pictures have included the Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop or contain scenes filmed on the Golden Gate Bridge. Here is a small sampling: Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011): Eight years of being raised by humans and now left behind in an abusive sanctuary, Caesar a hyper-intelligent chimpanzee leads a revolution of apes (with a huge fight scene on the Golden Gate Bridge with apes against the CHP) towards freedom from man's torturous exploitation. Going the Distance (2010): A romantic comedy centered on a couple who try to keep their love alive as they travel back and forth between New York and San Francisco to see one another. The Golden Gate Bridge is featured in several scenes. Star Trek (2009): Once again, as in several other Star Trek movies, we see a few fleeting images of Star Fleet Academy which is located right next to the Golden Gate Bridge. Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus (2009): The California coast is terrorized by two enormous prehistoric sea creatures as they battle each other for supremacy of the sea. The massive shark snacks on the Golden Gate Bridge. Monsters vs.

Aliens (2009): A monster named Susan moves vehicles on the Golden Gate Bridge. Susan is among the crew trying to save us from extra-terrestrial threats, and there's a standoff on the Bridge. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006): Magneto Man moves the Golden Gate Bridge...nothing to it! The Core (2003): To save the Earth from catastrophe, they must drill down to the core and set it spinning again. The Golden Gate Bridge comes down along the way. Boys and Girls (2000): A friendship is put to the test when two best friends end up together. The Golden Gate Bridge plays a part in that. Homeward Bound II - Lost in San Francisco (1996): It’s another incredible journey. Shadow, Sassy and Chance are back, the family lives in San Francisco and they're taking a vacation in Canada. The pets escape at the airport. The family is in Canada and the pets are all alone in San Francisco. They must navigate the streets of San Francisco, trying to find their home across the Golden Gate Bridge, but the road is blocked by a series of hazards, both man and beast.

The Rock (1996): A payload of explosives on Alcatraz threatens the Golden Gate Bridge and the rest of San Francisco. Three Black Hawk helicopters emerge from under the Bridge on their way to save the day. Murder in the First (1995): An eager and idealistic young attorney defends an Alcatraz prisoner accused of murdering a fellow inmate. The extenuating circumstances: his client had just spent over three years in solitary confinement. Interview with a Vampire (1994): A vampire tells his epic life story, with a dramatic ending on the Golden Gate Bridge. Final Analysis (1992): Starring Richard Gere, Kim Basinger, and Uma Thurman, this murder mystery includes scene of an ambulance crossing the Golden Gate Bridge roadway, scenes below the Bridge on the northeast side at the Fort Baker Fishing Pier, and a scene at a Bay Area lighthouse. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991): The crews of the Enterprise and the Excelsior must stop a plot to prevent a peace treaty between the Klingon Empire and the Federation. The Star Fleet Academy is located at the Golden Gate Bridge.

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986): The Bridge is struck by a cosmic storm when a space probe is searching for a humpback whale. A View to a Kill (1985): James Bond must stop a mad industrialist who plans to destroy Silicon Valley. There is lots of dangling at the top of the Golden Gate Bridge tower with helicopter rescue scene. Superman (1978): The Man of Steel (Christopher Reeve) arrives in time to save a school bus on the edge of the Bridge. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978): In this remake of the original 1956 classic, cars speed through the Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza. The Bridge was one of many San Francisco locations featured in the film. High Anxiety (1977): This film was partially shot in San Francisco, with some scenes taking place in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency as well as under the Golden Gate Bridge. Many different Alfred Hitchcock films, including Vertigo and Psycho, are parodied in this movie.

The Domino Principle (1977): One scene in this espionage thriller starring Gene Hackman and Mickey Rooney was filmed on the hillside located under the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge. Herbie Rides Again (1974): Herbie the Love Bug drives Helen Hayes up one of the main cables of the Golden Gate Bridge on a ride around San Francisco. The Love Bug (1968): The driverless Love Bug attempts to drive off the Golden Gate Bridge. Vertigo (1958): A story about a San Francisco detective and his psychological troubles with fear of heights and obsession over a woman. They spend some time at the Golden Gate Bridge. It Came From Beneath the Sea (1955): In this sci-fi classic, a giant octopus destroys the Golden Gate Bridge and much of the Embarcadero in San Francisco. Dark Passage (1947): Humphrey Bogart plays a man convicted of murdering his wife who escapes from prison in order to prove his innocence. Bogart has to get past a roadblock at the Golden Gate Bridge and does so by hiding in Lauren Becall’s car under some large canvas paintings.

The Maltese Falcon (1941): One of the best classic detective mysteries ever made. With a slow camera pan in a grayish 1940s, several San Francisco landmarks show up including the Golden Gate Bridge, the Ferry Building, and the Bay Bridge. THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE: WHO DESTROYED IT BEST? San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge has suffered all manner of damage and destruction in television and on film. But of all the earthquakes, sea monsters, and alien attacks, who caused the Bridge its most impressive destruction? Find out here! HOW CAN I FIND MOVIE PHRASES FOR THE WORDS: GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE? As of this writing (June 2011), the website is a great search engine that can answer this question. WHAT RECENT DOCUMENTARIES HAVE BEEN MADE ABOUT THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE? An American Icon: Originally aired on NBC Bay Area on April 2012, produced by NBC Bay Area and hosted by Doug McConnell. Click here to view the various segment produced for the 75th anniversary by NBC Bay Area.

Artland (episode 6 of season 2): Originally aired on Voom Network in 2007 and produced by Illuminations. Impossible Bridges: Golden Gate: Originally aired on National Geographic Channel in 2007 and produced by Michael Hoff Productions. The National Parks: Extreme Maintenance: Originally aired on the Travel Channel in April 2005 and produced by Bellevue Entertainment. MegaStructures, Golden Gate Bridge: Originally aired on National Geographic Channel in 2004 and produced by Principal Films. The Once and Future City: Filmed in 2004 and produced by Beyond Productions for the Discovery Channel. The American Experience: Golden Gate Bridge: Originally aired on PBS in May 2004 and produced by Ben Loeterman Productions. You can purchase the DVD through PBS here: Modern Marvels, Golden Gate Bridge: Originally aired on the History Channel in 2004 and produced by Actuality Productions. Behind Closed Doors with Joan Lunden, Golden Gate Bridge: Originally aired on A&E in 2001 and produced by LMNO Productions. Bridges: Reaching Out: Originally aired on Discovery Channel in 2000 and produced by Arcwelder Films.

WHY IS THE ARCHED (PORTAL) ENTRANCE TO THE WALDO TUNNEL LOCATED JUST NORTH OF THE BRIDGE IN MARIN COUNTY PAINTED AS A RAINBOW? A Caltrans engineer came up with the idea in 1970. The late Alan Hart, who was the former director of the San Francisco District of Caltrans, then known as the State Division of Highways, ordered the rainbow look. Because they are visible from homes, the portals on the north side of the tunnel remain unadorned. Caltrans crews have maintained the rainbow paint job ever since. On October 1, 2009, Caltrans workers began repainting the Waldo Tunnel's fading rainbows, bleached by years of sun, wind and fog. Fresh coats of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet were applied. Belinda Hallmark, an architectural color and finish consultant from Novato, donated time to assist Caltrans in selecting the paint for the refreshed rainbow. And Marin Color Service Inc., where Hallmark works part-time, donated the Benjamin Moore "Aura" brand exterior paint for the project.

In June 2015, the name of the tunnel was officially changed to the "Robin Williams Tunnelafter the late comedian and Marin resident. WHAT IS THE ELEVATION RISE OF THE ROADWAY FROM THE SOUTH END OF THE BRIDGE TO THE MIDDLE OF THE BRIDGE? At midspan, the height of the top of the roadway surface is +270.9 feet Mean Lower Low Water, which is the average of the lower low water height of each tidal day observed over the National Tidal Datum Epoch. At the south abutment of the Bridge, the height of the top of roadway surface is +186.5 feet. The difference, equaling the rise in elevation as you travel across the Bridge roadway, is +84.4 feet. These data are from the most recent survey done in 1992. WHAT OTHER NOT-SO-FAMOUS SUSPENSION BRIDGE IS PAINTED THE SAME COLOR AS THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE? The 25 de Abril Bridge, or the "25th of April Bridge," is a suspension bridge connecting the city of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, to the municipality of Almada on the left bank of the Tejo River.

It was inaugurated on August 6, 1966, and a train platform was added in 1999. Because of its similar coloring, it is often compared to San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. It was built by the same company (American Bridge Company) that constructed the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (but not the Golden Gate Bridge), explaining its similarity in design to the Bay Bridge. With a total length of 2,277 meters, it is the 20th largest suspension bridge in the world. The upper platform carries six car lanes, the lower platform two train tracks. Until 1974, the bridge was named Salazar Bridge. To easily see the similarities, take a look at photos of the 25th of April Bridge on this web link: . WAS A PEDESTRIAN FEE EVER CHARGED TO ACCESS THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE SIDEWALKS? From May 1937 to December 1970, a pedestrian toll (sidewalk fee) was charged and collected using a coin turnstile. By Board of Director Resolution No.

7159, authorized on December 15, 1970, the pedestrian toll was eliminated. Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge 5 667 votes The Golden Gate Bridge is a technical masterpiece that can only be described in superlative terms. When the bridge was completed in 1937 it was the world's longest and tallest suspension bridge. Golden Gate Bridge But above all this masterly example of engineering is a magnificent monument set against a beautiful backdrop. Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge started in 1933. The bridge, which was designed by engineer Joseph Strauss was built to connect San Francisco with Marin County across the 1600 meter (+5000ft) wide strait known as the Golden Gate which links the San Francisco Bay with the Pacific Ocean. Building the bridge The construction of what was to become the world's largest suspension bridge was a colossal task. At the time many people did not believe it was technically possible to span the Golden Gate. View from Marina district But despite the disbelief, opposition and the Great Depression, Joseph Strauss was able to find sufficient support and financial backing to go ahead with the project.

It would take thousands of workers, four years and 35 million dollars to complete the structure. On May 27, 1937 the Golden Gate Bridge was inaugurated by 18.000 people who walked across the bridge. The next day the bridge officially opened to motorized traffic. Today more than 120,000 cars cross the bridge each day. Facts and figures The dimensions of the bridge defied all imagination. The total length of the bridge is 8,981ft or 2,737 m. The main span between the two enormous towers is 4,200 ft or 1,280 meters long, making the Golden Gate Bridge the world's largest suspension bridge, View from Baker Beach a record that would stand until 1964 when the Verrazano-Narrows bridge in New York was completed. The two beautiful Art Deco towers are almost 820ft or 250 meters tall, of which more than 20 meters is below the sea level.

The road, six lanes and 90 ft / 27m wide is an amazing 220 ft or 67 meters above the water level. It is supported by enormous cables, anchored in hundreds of bars locked into concrete blocks with a pulling power of 25 million kg. The two cables have a total length of 2,332 meters and a diameter of 90 centimeters. They are woven from 27,572 threads of steel with a total length that equals three times the earth's circumference. A world famous landmark View from Lincoln Park Soon after its completion the Golden Gate Bridge already enjoyed worldwide fame, not only because the bridge was breaking records, but also thanks to the elegant Art Deco design of the two huge towers and the magnificent surroundings near the Pacific Ocean. The eye catching orange-red color of the bridge also helped its popularity. The color was suggested by engineer Irving Morrow, who thought the traditional gray color was too boring. The Golden Gate Bridge has now long lost its record of the longest bridge, but it is still one of the world's most famous structures. Crossing the bridge Even though there is a sidewalk on the Golden Gate Bridge, it's quite a challenge to cross the bridge.

Not only is it almost 3km long, but it is a breathtaking 67 meter (220ft) above sea level. In extreme circumstances the bridge can sway almost 28ft (8 meter). This makes the bridge less sensible to external forces such as strong winds and earthquakes but it can make the crossing rather unpleasant. The views however are amazing. An alternative to Bridge Tower crossing the bridge on foot is driving by car - but don't forget you'll have to pay toll - or you can take one of the busses that connect San Francisco with Marin County. There is a bus stop right at the start of the bridge. Getting to the bridge The Golden Gate Bridge is located at the Presidio Park and can easily be reached by bus or car. The most pleasant way to reach the bridge however is by walking either from the Marina District to the east or from Baker Beach to the west of the bridge. Both routes will lead you through a park, and especially the route along the east is very popular. The best views The Golden Gate Bridge is a spectacular sight which can be seen from many areas around San Francisco. Here are some locations from where you have great views on the bridge: South Vista Point.

This is the most popular site, situated at the San Francisco end of the bridge. North Vista Point, located at the Marin County side of the bridge. Land's End. Panoramic View from the northern tip of Lincoln Park Baker Beach at the Presidio Park. Conzelman Road. At the Marin County side; great view from an inlet near the bridge. The Golden Gate is at its most enchanting in the morning when the bridge is often shrouded in mist. But the bridge is also alluring at night when the lighting makes it seem as if the spires of the towers dissolve in the darkness. Funding for Golden Gate Bridge suicide barrier approved - CNN.com Funding for Golden Gate Bridge suicide barrier approved By Stephanie Smith, CNN Updated 10:39 AM ET, Mon June 30, 2014 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

JUST WATCHED Families praise suicide barrier approval 01:02 Story highlights Board of directors approves plan to erect suicide barrier on Golden Gate Bridge Golden Gate Bridge is the most-used suicide spot in the United States Last year, 46 people died jumping off the bridge There is a dark duality about the Golden Gate Bridge. Majestic and macabre, the bridge is an architectural wonder that also happens to be a magnet for suicides. It is the most-used suicide spot in the United States, second in the world. "People come from all over the world to go onto this bridge," said Sergeant Kevin Briggs, a retired police officer who used to patrol the Golden Gate. "Not just to sight-see, but also to take their life." JUST WATCHED Suicide barrier for Golden Gate? 05:56 JUST WATCHED Homicide preceded NY couple's fatal leap 01:25 JUST WATCHED MUST WATCH California man saves another from suicide 00:54 On Friday, San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge Board of Directors unanimously approved $76 million in funding to erect a 20-foot-wide steel net -- extending out from each side of the 1.7-mile span -- to deter would-be jumpers.

The federal government will cover $50 million of the cost; the rest will come from state and local sources. Last year, 46 people died after jumping off the Golden Gate, according to the Bridge Rail Foundation , an organization dedicated to stopping suicides from the bridge. The organization estimates that more than 1,600 people have leapt to their deaths since the bridge opened in 1937. "Where nets have been erected as suicide barriers they've proven to be 100% effective thus far," said Denis Mulligan, CEO and general manager of the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District, which presented the proposal to the board. "Suicidal people have stopped jumping at those locations." Those locations include the Clifton Suspension Bridge in England and the Duke Ellington Bridge in Washington, where, after barriers were installed, suicide rates went down dramatically. "Apparently, suicidal individuals don't want to hurt themselves, they want to die," said Mulligan. "So where nets have been erected, people stop jumping." The decision to move forward with the Golden Gate plan punctuates a contentious fight that has simmered here for decades. On one side of the debate were those who believe a suicide barrier will detract from the bridge's beauty.

On the other side were mental health and other advocates, some of whom bore an intimate sense of the potential benefits of such a barrier. One of the barrier proponents is Kevin Berthia. He stood on the precipice of the Golden Gate Bridge on a cold afternoon in March 2005. He was unemployed, drowning in a sea of medical bills, and distraught. "I was hurting a lot," said Berthia. "I was dealing with a lot of issues, and I felt like I was dealing with them by myself." Almost as soon as he hopped over the 4-foot barrier (which many argued makes jumping too easy) to the bridge's outer railing, he was approached by Sergeant Briggs. Briggs had been there before. During his 23-year career, he coaxed more than 200 people back from that same railing. Two people he wasn't able to save. An artist's rendering from the proposal shows the orange barrier extending from the structure below deck. "When someone goes over on the other side of that rail, it's like having a gun to their head, their finger on the trigger, and the hammer pulled back," said Briggs, founder of Pivotal Points , a crisis management and suicide prevention organization.

"They're ready to go. The pain is great -- they see no hope." For more than 90 minutes, Briggs listened while Berthia talked, the biting wind swirling around them. As the minutes passed, Berthia says the burdens he was carrying slowly lifted. Eventually he decided to come back over the barrier. "I knew things would get 10 times worse when I came back over, but I wanted to give it another shot," said Berthia, who says it took another eight years to get help for his mental health problems. Opposition faded A few years ago, the transportation district invited public comment about installing a suicide barrier, said Mulligan, the transportation district head, and opinion was deeply divided. "Leave the bridge alone," one commenter posted. "It's not the bridge's fault people choose to commit suicide there." Another commenter echoed a common perception about how effective a barrier could be: "Sadly, desperate people do commit suicide and they will find another means to do it if the GG bridge is not available to them." An artist's rendering from the proposal shows a horizontal barrier that extends from the deck, beneath the roadway, and doesn't clash with the bridge's unique International Orange hue.

Feds boosting mental health access, treatment Berthia said a suicide net certainly would have discouraged him from considering jumping, that his attraction to the bridge was the ease with which he could perish. Very rarely do people who are stopped from jumping go on to commit suicide, according to a study published in 1978 by Richard Seiden, a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley. More than 90% of would-be jumpers who were stopped, according to the oft-cited study, were still alive decades later. Berthia and Briggs say the decision to fund a barrier is overdue. "It should have been there a long time ago," said Berthia. "A lot of lives could have been saved." Briggs says that the father of a young man who died after jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge summed it up potently for him. "A view or a life? A view or a life?" said Briggs, paraphrasing the father. Those few words were what he says convinced him that something needed to be done.

When asked about advocates' argument that lives have been lost needlessly during the years the transportation group assembled its plan, Mulligan said, "With the passage of time I think society's values and understanding of suicide has evolved, and so has our board's." It will be several years before the net is built, said Mulligan. Still, a plan in motion -- even if it takes some time -- is of great solace to advocates. "(It has been) 77 years of needless deaths and survivor family devastation," Kevin Hines, one of the rare people who survived a suicide attempt from the bridge, said before the board's vote. He said the move toward a safety barrier means the community at last is "placing higher value and worth on people's lives over a piece of bright red iron." Types of Bridge Designs | USA Today Types of Bridge Designs The Golden Gate bridge is an example of a suspension bridge. (Photo: Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images ) Traveling to the Montauk Lighthouse Four basic types of bridge design exist, according to Professor Joseph MacDonnell of Fairfield University: beam (also known as truss), arch, suspension and cantilever.

The pontoon bridge, a well-known type of temporary bridge, is used to cross rivers and bodies of water; the weight of the bridge is supported on floating structures called pontoons. Pontoon bridges have a long history of military use; Alexander the Great is reputed to have crossed the Oxus River in central Asia on a bridge constructed using floating pontoons improvised from his soldiers’ tents filled with straw. Beam Bridges The beam bridge, the most basic kind of bridge, consists of horizontal beams supported by vertical piers. The weight of the bridge is supported entirely by the piers. As a result of their simplicity, beam bridges are very common; for example, Andrea Gibson at Ohio University estimates that 17 percent of the state of Ohio’s bridges are of this type. Their structure means that beam bridges are appropriate only for short distances and rarely cover distances of more than 250 feet. However, engineers can link a number of spans together to create longer bridges. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana, the world’s longest over-water bridge, is an example of a beam bridge.

The causeway’s 24 mile length is made up of 2,243 separate spans on the southbound lane and 1,500 spans on the northbound lane. Arch Bridges Arch bridges are probably the oldest type of bridge. They could be constructed with both stone and wood, and their clever design transfers the weight of the bridge and any traffic on it to supports at either end, which are known as abutments. Many historic bridges are of this type, including the famous Pont du Gard aqueduct near Nimes in France. This three-tier Roman-built structure is more than 2,000 years old and stands 164 feet high, spanning a distance of 300 yards on its topmost tier. UNESCO designated the structure a World Heritage site in 2007. Suspension Bridges Suspension bridges support weight via pairs of cables that link vertical supports with anchorages on either end, a design that allows the bridge to span much greater distances than either beam or arch bridges. Perhaps the most famous suspension bridge is San Francisco’s 1.7 mile-long Golden Gate Bridge.

The bridge is a massive construction, weighing in at 887,000 tons, with each anchorage alone weighing 60,000 tons. Cantilever Bridges Cantilever bridges were made possible by the invention of the hinge girder by German engineer Heinrich Gerber in 1866. Unlike previous inventions, the new girder was strong enough to support the stresses involved in supporting a large bridge. Cantilever bridges sustain their weight through rigid supports at either end. Gerber oversaw the construction of the world’s first cantilever bridge in Germany in 1887, but perhaps the most famous example is the Forth Railway Bridge in Scotland, which was also the first instance of a bridge being constructed using steel. The 1.5-mile-long bridge is made up of three double cantilevers linked by 345-feet-long steel girder spans. References

Question: What type of bridge is the Golden Gate Bridge?
Answer: SUSPENSION